The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Philippines and the Securities and Exchange Commission launched an initiative that promotes sustainable practices in small-, medium- and large scale enterprises (SMLEs) and helps protect the environment.
The program seeks to help businesses across the Philippines integrate sustainability into their operations. The SEC and UNDP successfully recently launched the SEC SMILEES Roadshow in Tagaytay City.
The program also seeks to foster a more inclusive and robust sustainability reporting culture, reaching enterprises beyond publicly listed companies to include the vital yet often overlooked non-listed businesses that form the backbone of the Philippine economy.
The roadshow gathered business leaders, representatives from local medium, small, and micro enterprises, local government representatives, and sustainability experts.
The Canadian government supports the SEC SMILEES Roadshow through the UNDP’s Accelerating Green and Climate Finance Project.
The SEC SMILEES Roadshow aims to raise awareness on the importance of sustainability reporting among SMLEs, while building their capacity to measure, monitor, and disclose their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts.
It promotes the use of globally recognized tools and frameworks, including alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on sustainability.
SEC Commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo, in his welcome message, shared the Commission’s vision of digitizing operations while advancing sustainability leadership in the Philippines and beyond.
He stressed that sustainability and profitability are “mutually reinforcing,” highlighting that sustainable practices protect the environment, support communities and strengthen long-term business success.
Quevedo said “by promoting sustainability, we ensure these enterprises remain competitive and responsible stewards of our natural resources and social capital.”
“This aligns with the SEC’s broader mandate… which requires sustainability reporting for publicly listed companies, and now extends to encourage all enterprises to embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.”
Edwine Carrie, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, cited the significance of private sector involvement in advancing sustainability goals.
“By integrating sustainability into your core business strategies, you are not only helping to protect the environment and uplift communities but also ensuring that your business remains competitive and resilient in a world shaped by climate change, digital transformation, and evolving social expectations,” said Carrie.
UNDP Philippines News
“Our collective efforts through the SEC SMILEES Roadshow are key to building a future where economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social inclusion.”
The event featured presentations on the Philippine sustainability reporting landscape, nature-based solutions and local government sustainability initiatives.
A panel of private sector leaders shared experiences on how sustainability practices create long-term value, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen stakeholder trust.
Tagaytay City, known for its tourism, agriculture and real estate sectors, provided a fitting backdrop for the roadshow. The city’s experience in balancing economic development with environmental and social considerations mirrors the challenges and opportunities faced by enterprises nationwide as they transition to more sustainable practices. UNDP Philippines News